Ashley Burkhardt 2019-20 Softball Staff

University of Notre Dame softball coach Deanna Gumpf has named Ashley Burkhardt as a volunteer assistant coach for the Fighting Irish. After playing at Purdue, Ashley was drafted by the Dallas Charge in the National Pro Fastpitch and played professionally for two seasons, during which time she helped train student-athletes as a volunteer assistant coach at Purdue.

“Ashley has an extraordinary background in softball,” Gumpf said. “She has played at all levels, including professionally, and her life has truly gone in the direction of all things softball, which is such a benefit to our program. She is young, energetic, and really passionate about the game and about young players become better people on and off the field.”

During her four seasons at Purdue University, she earned three straight All-Region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association. These include first-team honors at second base in 2013, third-team accolades at first base in 2014, and first-team All-Midwest Region accolades at first base in 2015. She was also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and garnered first-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2014.

“I think she is going to be a great addition to our team and our program and a tremendous resource for our student-athletes,” Gumpf continued. “I love that she will play the role of connector with the staff and the team.”

Before leaving Purdue, she earned four spots on the season record listings in 2015, tied for second in slugging percentage (.681), third in RBI (48), fifth in batting average (.393), and fifth in sacrifice flies (4) with 11 home runs. She wrapped up her career ranking fourth in program history in sacrifice flies (8) as well as fifth in batting average (.335) and RBI (122). Additionally, she tied the school’s game record for home runs with two against Coastal Carolina on February 14, 2014, and became the school’s record holder for stolen bases in a game with four against Western Michigan on March 15, 2015.